Hurley approves Heritage Fest parade

By TOM LAVENTURE

tlaventure@yourdailyglobe.com

Hurley — The annual Iron County Heritage Festival parade and related events in Hurley are now approved to go forward, according to Mayor Jay Aijala.

The Hurley City Council discussed the details of the events and determined that the festival could be organized safely within the parameters of state COVID-19 guidelines as they currently stand with the Iron County Department of Health and the state of Wisconsin, he said. 

“We feel we’re in a very comfortable spot with the COVID pandemic and that we can start getting back to normal,” Aijala said. 

The city council had withheld support for the Memorial Day parade to go forward due to the pandemic guidelines on crowds. The council has been deciding on events month to month as the pandemic guidelines continue to change.

The Iron County Heritage Festival, coordinated by the Iron County Development Zone, is a two-week celebration that combines festivals and events held around the county from July 31 through Aug. 15. The Hurley events include the Heritage Days parade along Silver Street in downtown Hurley at 2 p.m. Saturday, July 31. 

Among other events already announced as going forward include the Loon Day festival in Mercer from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 4; the Iron County Fair at the Saxon Fairgrounds from Aug. 5-8, and the Paavo Nurmi Marathon on Aug. 14. The Hurley K-12 School will host events by the Hurley Education Foundation and the Athletic Hall of Fame on July 31. For more information, visit ironcountywi.com.

The council adopted an ordinance on portable storage units to regulate temporary storage units. The ordinance addresses concerns regarding the use of shipping containers and similar portable storage units and does not permit use on residential property.

The approval will allow the shipping containers to be used on industrial zoned property. The ordinance will allow the use of shipping containers on commercial zoned property with the approval of a conditional use permit from the city. 

The council approved an ordinance on sports courts to establish standards within the city. The ordinance requires a conditional use permit for sports courts that are defined as a “dedicated hard surfaced area purpose-built for playing tennis, basketball, shuffleboard or other similar sporting activities on a residential lot.” 

The ordinance does not include paved driveways or other parking areas that are occasionally used for sports use.

Scott Santini, public works director, said the restrooms at Riccelli Park have been removed to make way for a basketball court. The work is ongoing in removing the foundation and utilities.

Council member Steven Lombardo recommended basketball hoops and backboards of the type in use at a court next to Memorial Field. He said those types of boards last a long time and recommended not going with glass or adjustable boards. 

The council approved the basketball court bid to fit within a $5,000 budget. The council also approved a go ahead to search for and build new children’s playground equipment at Pena Park before the end of the construction season.

The council approved the compliance maintenance resolution that is an annual requirement in the city’s report to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. The city received “A” grades for financial management and collection systems regarding the wastewater systems.

The DNR will use the report to base recommendations on action response plans for any sanitary or sewer overflow issues.

The council approved a $2,900 well abandonment bid from Binz Bros. The well near the Hurley K-12 School is currently unused and was declared abandoned by the city in May to clarify water related assets with the state Public Service Commission.

The city approved a recommendation from the city finance committee to purchase a new voting machine. The approximately $7,500 purchase of a paper ballot machine is to replace the current machine that will be phased out in 2022, according to finance committee chair Joanne Bruneau.

In the finance committee report, Bruneau said preliminary formula estimates show the city should receive around $150,000 in federal American Rescue pandemic relief funds. The sum would come in two payments in 2021 and 2022 and would be allocated to a new water metering system.

The council approved annual renewal applications related to retail alcohol purchases for consumption on or off premises to include 27 class B beer and liquor licenses; two class B beer licenses, and three class A beer license applications, and five beer garden permits. The council approved renewal of 69 bartender licenses and placed a hold on one application.

In separate actions the council approved renewal of three motel permits; 22 restaurant registrations to include Eagle Bluff Golf Course; six adult entertainment licenses, and 11 cigarette licences.

According to meeting reports, the Hurley Police Department has hired a new part time officer. The officer is currently attending the Law Enforcement Recruit Academy at Nicolet College in Rhinelander, with tuition costs expected to be reimbursed by the state.

The city council went into executive session regarding a bargaining discussion concerning Eagle Bluff Golf Course. The council returned to open session and did not take any action from the closed session.

In other business, the council approved the open book and board of review dates for 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. June 22, and June 29.